Mississippi State University Hosts Summer Scholars Onstage Presentation of ‘Curses!’ on July 5-6
Starkville, MS – This July 5-6, the campers at Mississippi State University’s Summer Scholars Onstage are all set to present an intriguing performance of the original musical “Curses!” on McComas Hall’s main stage. The show, open to the public and totally free to attend, is scheduled for Friday [July 5] at 7 p.m. and Saturday [July 6] at 1 p.m.
A gathering of youthful talent
The promising line-up includes performances by talented 42 middle and high school students hailing from various regions, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Texas, and Virginia. Their three-act performance is a spectacle of their dancing, singing, acting, and technical prowess. The propitious thespians have been rehearsing an original musical at McComas Hall in the lead up to the final performances.
Creative Collaboration
The creative process began with a writer’s camp, which saw 11 campers studying scriptwriting and musical composition. The musical piece they studied is an intriguing narrative that spans centuries. The plot revolves around a medieval curse by a king and the resulting pandemonium it incites from Illinois to outer space.
‘Curses!’ – A Milestone Achievement
“Curses!” signifies a significant milestone too. It is the remarkable 40th production for the long-running camp, which continues to captivate audiences under the expert direction of Professor Emeritus Joe Ray Underwood, from the Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Foundations, who has since retired. The meticulous execution of the camp and its productions comes under the supervision of a 25-member staff constituted by musicians, drama teachers, dance instructors, counselors, technicians, and voluntary college students.
The Summer Scholars Onstage program receives its sponsorship from MSU’s Office of Pre-College Opportunity and Programs. The initiative has also been endowed with grants from the Mississippi Arts Commission and the 4-County Education Fund.
More about Summer Scholars Onstage
The Summer Scholars Onstage is a unique platform that encourages talented students to showcase their creativity in different theatrical aspects. The camp is renowned for hosting a myriad of students from across the state, and even from various other parts of the country. Summer Scholars Onstage, over the years, has tirelessly worked towards nurturing the artistic skills of budding talents.
The ambitious students and the dedicated staff relentlessly rehearse over weeks to bring the original scripts to life. Each performance is a testament to the hard work and passion infused by every participant.
Author: STAFF HERE STARKVILLE WRITER
The STARKVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREstarkville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Starkville, Oktibbeha County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cotton District Arts Festival, Bulldog Bash, and Mississippi State University homecoming celebrations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Starkville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi State University Extension Service, plus leading businesses in education and agriculture that power the local economy such as Mississippi State University and Starkville Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Mississippi's dynamic landscape.
